The Aerial Tram
Posted by: kmikeym | From: November 23, 2005
The aerial tram is a very important (and awesome) part of the future of Portland. As the city begins to expand into the South Waterfront District, the aerial tram will link this area to OHSU. OHSU has already started construction on one of the four planned buildings they will have in the district, and the aerial tram will connect these new facilities to OHSU's Marquam Hill location, or 'pill hill' as it is called.
The plan is to use some of the new waterfront location to support the burgeoning biotechnology research market. Since 1997 OHSU discoveries have created 51 spinoff companies, and this site will allow for the creation of biotech incubators, which will help grow new companies that will be using OHSU licensed discoveries and bring in more revenue to OHSU, which is getting less money from the state all the time.
The design, by Angelil/Graham/Pfenninger/Scholl, will make the aerial tram a Portland landmark. They explain, The Portland Aerial Tramway will connect the Oregon Health & Science University Hospital, located at the top of a canyon hillside, with a proposed medical research redevelopment neighborhood on the bank of the Willamette River, just south of downtown Portland.
The project proposes a kit of strategies that will be deployed over time, an open system adaptable to change and development. The tram and a pedestrian bridge will serve to link disparate communities. The project, accordingly, will address issues from technical design issues to urbanism.
Three types of connections are to be created between the top and the bottom of the hill: an air connection, a land connection, and a green connection. The upper station is of the air, a steel frame with photovoltaic screen. The tram car is a curvilinear form intended to disappear against the sky.
A lot of people are concerned with the cost, as the estimates seem to be about $45 million right now on the high end. With the construction already started on both the terminals and an intermediate tower, we are committed to paying whatever it's going to cost. The Oregonian explains, "A funding formula approved by the City Council in April relied on property assessments on land at both ends of the project, tax increment urban renewal money from the South Waterfront, energy tax credits and a $4 million contribution from OHSU. The formula did not include any city general fund money."
Sam Adams has a very nice general history of the project on his blog which also points out the taxpayers costs have thus far DECREASED even though the cost of the project has increased. Oregon Health Sciences University has picked up the bulk of the tram cost increases to date.
Contrary to the majority of curmudgeons I like aerial trams!
I hope I hope the city turns Ross Island into a bicycle park and builds an aerial tram from Springwater Corridor down to the east side of the island.
That would be fantastic. And parallel the OHSU trams on the west side.
Lessee - $45 million works out easy! 10 people per ride at $1 each, 15 rides per hour, 20 hours a day, 365 days a year for 45 years is $49,275,000. No problemo.
C
Posted by: Cicolini at November 26, 2005 7:36 PM
Why would I want to take an aerial tram to the hospital? I try to stay away from the hospital. Why not have a tram go to the art museum, and have the museum be free once a week so that I can go there because I can't afford to go there because I'm a poor artist who can't find a job in as a "creative worker" in Portland.
Posted by: mcat at December 6, 2005 4:45 PM
Why would I want to take an aerial tram to the hospital? I try to stay away from the hospital. Why not have a tram go to the art museum, and have the museum be free once a week so that I can go there because I can't afford to go there because I'm a poor artist who can't find a job as a "creative worker" in Portland.
Posted by: mcat at December 6, 2005 4:46 PM
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that is basically incredible.
Posted by: george at November 25, 2005 3:07 AM